Former Zambia national soccer team captain Rainford Kalaba has attributed the current low goal-scoring ratio in Zambian football to the players’ lack of passion for the game.
Kalaba, who retired last year after an illustrious playing career with DR Congo giants TP Mazembe, expressed concern that there is currently no player in the Zambian top-flight able to surpass records such as his 32 goals scored in a season in 2008 while with Zesco United.
“If I look back at my time in Zambia when I was playing for Zesco, I scored 32 goals as a league top scorer and I think up to now no one has surpassed that record. I have been following the games in the Zambian league and I haven’t seen any striker who is going to pass 20 goals, which is very worrying,” Kalaba told ZNBC Sports in an interview.
Kalaba says the current crop of Zambian players lacks the character and attitude of the class of yesteryears when football was more competitive.
“If I look way back in Zambia, football was very competitive, but compared to our current league and players, they don’t have that passion for playing football,” he said.
The 2012 AFCON winner has encouraged Zambian footballers to be more focused and dedicated in order to improve their careers and local league football.
“The players are not very passionate about football because once you go on the pitch, you need to know that you are there for work. Even if you have personal problems, let them stay outside of the field,” he said.
Nonetheless, the former Chipolopolo midfielder called for continued moral support rather than ridicule for Zambian players from football fans.
“I just want to encourage all the supporters to give encouragement to all the players and not insult them because football is not easy; you can make mistakes and do well tomorrow,” he said.
Kalaba is one of the most decorated Zambian footballers, having won the AFCON, CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup, and numerous league titles in the DR Congo with TP Mazembe.
